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Head-to-head Updated

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV vs Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 2 + 2 road tests and 18 + 4 owner reviews. How we score

Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV leads, 76–72 Narrow edge

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Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV
Tire ANokian

Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

Winter

± 6

Tests 72 · 2 tests Owners 80 · 18 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test (wet braking)

Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV
Tire BMichelin

X-Ice Snow SUV

Winter

± 6

Tests 68 · 2 tests Owners 76 · 4 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 74

    Dry

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV +2
    72
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests7470
    Reviews found online7474
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–096%93%
    Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–070%70%

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV: 60% × 73.7 + 40% × 74.3 = 74

    X-Ice Snow SUV: 60% × 70.3 + 40% × 73.7 = 72

  2. 75

    Wet

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV +8
    67
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests6957
    Reviews found online8480
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–190%90%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%88%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–099%98%

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV: 60% × 68.6 + 40% × 83.5 = 75

    X-Ice Snow SUV: 60% × 57.4 + 40% × 80.3 = 67

  3. 79

    Snow

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV +3
    76
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests7573
    Reviews found online8581
    Ice Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–197%97%
    Ice Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0100%98%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0100%99%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–299%100%

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV: 60% × 74.8 + 40% × 84.7 = 79

    X-Ice Snow SUV: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 80.7 = 76

  4. 76

    Comfort

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV +2
    74
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 70 (est.)
    Reviews found online7977

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV: 40% × 70.7 (est.) + 60% × 79.1 = 76

    X-Ice Snow SUV: 40% × 70.3 (est.) + 60% × 76.9 = 74

    No road tests of comfort for Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

    No road tests of comfort for X-Ice Snow SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 73

    Noise

    Level
    73
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests6677
    Reviews found online84≈ 66 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–298%99%

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV: 60% × 65.7 + 40% × 83.5 = 73

    X-Ice Snow SUV: 60% × 76.9 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 73

    No owner ratings of noise for X-Ice Snow SUV. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 74

    Treadwear

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV +4
    70
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 69 (est.)
    Reviews found online7872

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV: 60% × 70.7 (est.) + 40% × 78 = 74

    X-Ice Snow SUV: 60% × 68.6 (est.) + 40% × 72.2 = 70

    No road tests of treadwear for Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

    No road tests of treadwear for X-Ice Snow SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 79

    Handling (owners)

    Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV +6
    73
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Reviews found online7973
  8. 72

    Efficiency

    X-Ice Snow SUV +1
    73
    Why this score
    SourceHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests7273
    Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–198%98%
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%96%
Scores at a glance
CategoryNokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUVMichelin X-Ice Snow SUV
Relative Score 76 72
Dry 74 72
Wet 75 67
Snow 79 76
Comfort 76 74
Noise 73 73
Treadwear 74 70
Handling (owners) 79 73
Efficiency 72 73

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

± 6

X-Ice Snow SUV

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 2 tests that ran both, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV finished ahead 2 times and Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV 0 times.

DisciplineCategoryHakkapeliitta R5 SUVX-Ice Snow SUVΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 96% 93% +2.8 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 70% 70% 0.0 0–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 90% 90% 0.0 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Wet Braking Wet 100% 88% +11.9 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Wet Handling Wet 99% 98% +1.3 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Ice Handling Snow 97% 97% +0.6 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Ice Traction Snow 100% 98% +2.2 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Snow Handling Snow 100% 99% +1.1 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Snow Traction Snow 99% 100% −0.8 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Noise Noise 98% 99% −1.0 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 98% 98% −0.7 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% 96% +3.6 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test · 235/55 R18
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 65% 62% +3.9 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test · 235/55 R18
Overall Ranking Overall #4/8 #5/8 – 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test · 235/60 R18

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction on snow and ice
  • Significantly quieter than previous models and studded alternatives
  • Stable and predictable handling with a firm, confident ride on dry and wet pavement

Cons

  • Higher price point compared to some other tire options
  • Slightly firmer ride compared to softer alternatives like Bridgestone Blizzaks
  • Some minor compromises in ultimate dry and wet grip typical of soft-compound winter tires
All owner themes in the Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV review

Tire B X-Ice Snow SUV

Pros

  • Outstanding traction on snow and ice
  • Remarkably low road noise for a winter tire
  • Excellent ride comfort

Cons

  • Unsuitable for year-round use due to soft compound in warm temperatures
  • Reduced handling precision compared to dedicated summer tires
All owner themes in the X-Ice Snow SUV review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV B · Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4
Sizes available7090
Rim diameters16″ – 22″16″ – 22″
Tread depth12/32″—
SidewallBlack Side Wall—
Max pressure47 - 51 psi—
Sizes in common5959

Which one should you actually buy?

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV

Narrow edge: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV — better wet, handling and treadwear. Where the Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV is ahead, it is by less than 3 points.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV scores 75 vs 67 on wet.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV scores 79 vs 73 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV scores 74 vs 70 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV scores 79 vs 76 on snow.

Pick tire B Your priority is snow traction

Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV won 2 of 2 shared snow traction tests.

Tire A · Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV
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Tire B · Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV
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Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Which is better in the wet, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV, 75 vs 67 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 72 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is better in snow, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV, 79 vs 76 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 73 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Neither, by our numbers: 76 vs 74 on the comfort score, within 3 points.

Which lasts longer, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV, 74 vs 70 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV or X-Ice Snow SUV?

Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 73 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology